| Abstract: | This article presents the goals, rationale, history, and some implementing techniques to help disoriented old-old restore dignity and self worth in a group. The techniques focus on non-verbal helping methods. Validation/Fantasy is based on the following principles: 1) There is reason behind all behavior. 2) Each stage of life has different goals. 3) Goals of severely disoriented aged are to resolve the past. 4) Each human is valuable and unique. 5) The helper must use empathy and genuine human regard, tuning into the goals of the "other." 6) Damage to sensory cells can lead to a gradual blurring of present reality and self-awareness. 7) Early-learned emotional memory replaces cognitive thinking in disoriented aged. 8) Disoriented aged can tap logical thinking centers when they are helped to resolve the past. 9) Validation/Fantasy tunes into the old-old. Some prefer to remain in the past. Some can return to the present. No one formula works for everyone. 10) People who are disoriented and old-old and who cannot return to the outside community deserve to resolve the past and justify their past roles before death. |
